Dazu Rock Statues Of Clairvoyance And Clairaudience: Is One Of them Holding A Snake Or ‘Telephone Receiver” In His Hand?

AncientPages.com - Two 1.82-meter-high statues have been found in the grotto in Shimenshan area in the Dazu Rock Carvings in Chongqing, China.

Shimenshan Rock Carvings are located to the east of Dazu County, during the Song dynasty. The name Shimen literally means, “stone gate”, because the entrance is located between rocks.

Left: The statue of clairvoyance in the Dazu Rock Carvings in Chongqing municipality; Right: The statues at the Shimenshan area in the Dazu Rock Carvings in Chongqing; Image Credits: chinadaily.com.cn

There are a total of 16 groups of carvings. The carvings and statues are mostly focused on the Taoist and Buddhist themes.

What is the long object that clairaudience is holding? Is it a snake or perhaps "a telephone receiver", which help him to hear thousands of miles away.

Does that mean the cylinder clairvoyance holds in his right hand is an ancient telescope?

The carvings depict -

• clairvoyance, known for his ability to see thousands of miles in the distance, and
• clairaudience, the power to hear sounds said to exist beyond the reach of ordinary experience or capacity, as the voices of the dead.

The statues of clairvoyance, clairaudience and the Jade Emperor in the Dazu Rock Carvings in Chongqing. Image credits: chinadaily.com.cn

The statue of clairvoyance has two big eyes like copper bells and two ribbons are floating at the rear of his head. Wearing armor, the man raises his left hand to his breast, holding a cylinder, while he has a spear in his right hand. The two generals wear little, revealing their toned muscles. From the leg harness and weapons they carry, it is clear that they are major generals of the Jade Emperor.

According to Li Xiaoqiang, head researcher of the fascinating Dazu Rock Carvings, it is quite rare for them to be seen together in grottoes.

Many immortal beings stand in a line in Dazu Rock Carvings. Image via China Tour Guide

The mythological figures of clairvoyance and clairaudience have long existed but to see them as statues is very unusual.

The two mythological generals, dating back to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) in 1147, are carved near the statue of the Jade Emperor (the Taoist ruler of heaven and all realms of existence below), who stand beside two servants at each side of the emperor.

The statue of clairaudience appears to have a damaged head, but his facial expression suggests he is listening attentively. There is a belt crossing over his shoulders, and he holds tight an implement in his right hand in front of his upper body.

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